Episode 45: Museum Maven Adam Smith

Episode 45 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Adam Smith, Executive Director, Comic-Con Museum, San Diego, CA. Adam is a twenty-year museum professional who is leading the conception, fund-raising, and build of the highly interactive Comic-Con Museum, a permanent year-round exhibit space devoted to popular art, comics, film, and television. The museum is presented by Comic-Con International and setting up shop at the previously titled Hall of Champions in Balboa Park in San Diego.

Adam and Heather caught up virtually from San Diego, CA and Marina del Rey, CA.

Listen in as Adam and Heather talk about:

The exciting pop-up version of Comic-Con Museum that will take place during this year during the 50th San Diego Comic-Con. Discussing the preparations underway to activate all three floors of the 68,000 square foot building with exciting exhibits, programs, and experiences. The Pop-Up will feature The Batman Experience Powered by At&T, The Art of Comic-Con, Geek Couture: Designs from the Her Universe Fashion Show, Paint Like Bob Ross, Mondo Gallery: 80 Years of Batman and daily panels giving the broader community a taste of the great variety and depth of Comic-Con programming.

A look into his twenty year career as a museum professional curating and building museums and programs from the ground up. His beginnings in Scotland getting his postgraduate degree from the University of St Andrews and working as a curator for the Museum of Flight at the National Museum of Scotland and adding in thoughts and guidance for those who also want to become a museum professional.

A discussion of experiential programming including a look into technology, curating, the current state of how people view museums and attractions, a peek into some of Adam’s favorites and what he loves to see and is inspired by when he goes to other museums and how he brings everything he sees to his creativity and daily job.

The major exhibit at the Peterson Museum in conjunction with Comic-Con: Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantacy.

Thoughts on what it means to build a museum and celebrate the tradition that is Comic-Con. How Adam and the team are bringing it to life listening to their fans and how fans of Comic-Con can be involved from day one through their Charter Membership program.

Transcript

To connect with Adam and the Comic-Con Museum: Adam LinkedIn

Comic-Con Museum: Sign up to become a museum insider | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter

Recommendations from Adam: Peterson Museum, LA | Ghibili Museum, Japan | Meowwolf, Santa Fe NM | Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester NY | Corning Museum of Glass, Upstate NY | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland OH | National WWII Museum, New Orleans LA